halifax reward travel insurance

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Check out all the travel products and services we offer to help you make your money go that little bit further when travelling abroad. 

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Need some cash for your holiday? Order it today and have it delivered securely to your home or nearest branch for free.

Accounts with travel benefits.

• Clarity Credit Card  – ideal to use when travelling as there are no usage fees.
• Ultimate Reward Current Account  – has travel insurance included, plus a range of other benefits for a monthly maintaining the account fee.

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Does Halifax Ultimate Reward Travel Insurance Cover?

• Coverage for you, your living spouse, and any children under the age of 18 (or 24 if they’re in full-time education).

Does Halifax travel insurance cover cancellation?

There is now coverage if you are overseas and are ordered to return home or prefer to leave early to avoid having to quarantine when you return due to an epidemic or pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) or a government body. The UK government or the government of the nation you’re visiting could issue the order to come home.

If you or someone you’re traveling with has scheduled to fly and the carrier or a government body refuses to allow you go because you or they are showing symptoms of a contagious sickness at the time of boarding, you or they are entitled for additional cancellation coverage.

If anyone traveling with the insurance holder has been advised to quarantine owing to a potential exposure to COVID-19, cancellation coverage will now be offered for those protected under the policy. Local lockdowns and a broader quarantine order are not included in this.

If you become unwell while traveling, you are still insured for emergency medical care. Anyone planned to go and protected under the policy will still have cancellation and medical coverage if they are required to quarantine on an individual basis.

On December 1, 2021, NHS Test and Trace / NHS Test and Protect (Scotland) contacts a friend you’re traveling with and informs them that they need to self-isolate and will be unable to accompany you. You will be insured for travel cancellation in this case.

You are scheduled to depart on December 1, 2021. There were no restrictions on traveling to your destination at the time you booked. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s travel advice to that place changes two days before your journey begins, and now advises against all but essential travel. As a result, you must reschedule your vacation. You would not be protected for any cancellation expenses in this case, and you would need to seek compensation from the travel provider or another source, such as your credit card issuer.

It is critical that you study the terms and conditions of travel insurance to verify that the coverage matches your requirements.

What is covered by Halifax Ultimate Reward account?

The family travel insurance policy covers you, your spouse or partner (if you live together), and any children under the age of 18, or 24 if they’re in full-time education. Personal goods, specific sports and hobbies, and golf excursions are all covered.

Existing medical issues are not covered unless they are initially agreed upon with the insurer, in which case an additional premium may be required.

• Multi-trip travel around the world, including specific winter sports and golf excursions. There’s also coverage for UK excursions that include at least two nights of pre-booked lodging.
• Your children – any of your children who are 18 years old or younger, or who are 24 years old if they are in full-time education. When traveling with the account holder or a responsible adult, you are covered.
• As long as they reside with you, your partner can be a spouse, civil partner, or partner.
• If your personal baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £2,500. This includes assets worth up to £500 and a single article, pair, or set of articles worth up to £500.
• Personal money is covered up to £750 in the event of loss or theft. This includes up to £300 in cash coverage. For those under the age of 16, the amount is limited to £50.
• Pre-existing medical issues are not covered unless the insurer has agreed to cover them.
• The excursion with the longest duration is 31 days. A maximum of 31 days of coverage in a calendar year for winter sports.
• Children are only protected if they are accompanied by you, the account holder, or another responsible adult.
• If you go against the recommendation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or any regulatory authority, you are not covered.
• If you are unable to travel or prefer not to go because the FCDO or another equivalent government organization in another nation advises against travel due to a pandemic, you are not covered.
• When the account holder reaches the age of 71, all coverage terminates. As long as the account holder is under the age of 71, their spouse, partner, or civil partner (with whom they live) is insured until they become 71. Eligible children can also be covered if they are traveling with the policyholder’s spouse, partner, or civil partner.

If you need support when traveling abroad, dial +44 (0)208 239 3931 for Allianz Assistance’s 24-hour assistance line. Call Allianz Assistance at +44 (0)345 124 1400 if you need to lodge a claim or want additional information. You can also submit your claim online through the Allianz Assistance Hub, which is accessible via your banking app or Online Banking.

AWP Assistance UK Ltd (business as Allianz Assistance) administers the policy, which is underwritten by AWP P&C SA.

Please note that these are only a few of the key issues; the policy document included in the Ultimate Reward Current Account Getting Started Guide has complete details of the limitations and exclusions (PDF 1.3MB).

As part of the account application procedure, we will also send you the Insurance Product Information Booklet (PDF 2.4MB).

If your travel has been disrupted, you may also use our helpful travel disruption tool.

Do the Halifax do travel insurance?

Overview of Halifax travel insurance. Halifax’s Ultimate Reward Current Account package account includes travel insurance. For a monthly charge of £17, the account also includes AA breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance, and home emergency cover. AXA Insurance UK plc underwrites its insurance.

What is not covered in travel insurance?

Baggage delay, damage, and loss plans do not cover all of your belongings. Glasses, hearing aids, dental bridges, tickets, passports, keys, cash, and cell phones are all common travel insurance exclusions. These things are sometimes covered, but only up to a particular cost limit, so if you have several expensive electronic items (such as a laptop, tablet, and mobile phone), you may not have enough coverage to cover the loss of all of them.

Is Halifax Ultimate Reward account changing?

If we don’t hear from you by May 15, 2020, your account will be converted to a current account, and you won’t be eligible for monthly Reward Extras. You can upgrade to a Reward Current Account at any time after your account has been converted to a Current Account if you believe it is the ideal account for you.

We’re also adding a £3 monthly account maintenance fee on June 1, 2020, although this won’t apply if you deposit at least £1,500 into your account each month.

Between June and August, we won’t charge the £3 monthly account maintenance cost to help you get acclimated to your new account.

However, you must still pay £1,500 each month to be eligible for your reward.

To help you decide if this account is perfect for you, we’ve highlighted everything you’ll need to do to obtain Reward Extras.

Can I downgrade my Halifax Ultimate Reward account?

It’s good news for existing Halifax customers since if you haven’t received a switching bonus from Halifax since April 2020, you can still claim the bonus.

However, unlike Natwest, Halifax would not allow you to switch into an existing account and receive a bonus. You will need to create a new account.

If you have a Halifax “Current Account”

The Current Account from Halifax is a no-frills ordinary account. If you have this, all you need to do now is create a Reward or UItimate Reward account.

If you have a Halifax Reward account

Many of you, I’m sure, already have this account thanks to the generous £5 per month offer. As a result, you’ll need to create an Ultimate Reward account. You can downgrade the account once you’ve switched and received the money if you don’t want to maintain it (details below).

If you have both the Reward and Ultimate Reward accounts

If you already have both of these accounts, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Simply downgrade one of your existing Halifax accounts to a different type of Halifax account. After that, reapply for the same account. Then switch back to normal mode! Halifax has confirmed that this is acceptable.

Of course, there may be some differences in your insurance policies if you do this with the Ultimate Rewards account, so compare them before deciding to downgrade the old account.

How do I claim on my Halifax phone insurance?

If you haven’t already done so, you can register your mobile phone number with the insurer via online banking or by dialing 0345 124 1400.

Raising a claim

You must notify the authorities and your airtime supplier as quickly as possible if your phone is lost or stolen. If you do not do these steps, your claim may be denied.

• Your phone’s make and model. Check your instruction manual for this information, or remove the back cover and battery to find a label with this information.
• Your network/service provider. Tip: Your service provider’s information is frequently displayed on your phone’s screen or on your contract or monthly statement.
• The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique identifier for mobile devices. Tip: Dial *#06# on your phone’s keypad to get this information shown on your phone’s screen.
• Click on your Ultimate Reward Current Account once you’ve enrolled into Online Banking.
• Then, under the ‘Account information and benefits menu,’ select ‘View account benefits.’
• Your policy information will be automatically loaded if you’ve already entered your mobile phone insurance data.
• If you want to file a claim, go to ‘View and update details’, then ‘Make a claim,’ and follow the onscreen instructions.

What is Halifax Reward net?

The Halifax Incentive account is now fee-free and offers a £2 monthly reward provided you deposit at least £750, pay out two or more direct debits, and keep your account in good standing. You have until June 12 to determine whether or not to opt-in if you opened your Rewards account after March 13th.

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The three best bank accounts with travel insurance bolted on: We pick our favourites and whether they're worth paying for

• Some bank accounts include annual worldwide travel insurance
• They often also include car breakdown cover and mobile phone insurance 
• Although there is a monthly cost, having such an account may make sense

By Ed Magnus For Thisismoney.co.uk

Updated: 03:28 EDT, 9 August 2022

View comments

Many Britons will feel a bank account isn't something they're prepared to pay for - after all, most current accounts are 'free'.

However, some packaged bank accounts offer a host of benefits that added together could justify their monthly cost.

The typical perks include free annual worldwide travel insurance, car breakdown cover and mobile phone insurance, often with family members included. 

There is also the convenience factor of having three insurance policies taken care of saving both time and effort in having to organise it separately. 

Some bank accounts charge a monthly fee, but throw in perks such as annual worldwide travel insurance.

Michelle Stevens, banking expert at comparison site Finder, says: 'If you and your family are frequent travellers, then a current account with packaged travel insurance could be well worth the monthly fee, especially given the rising cost of travel insurance premiums in the last two years. 

'But before signing up to any premium current account, it’s important you check that the terms of the travel insurance policy - as well as the other account features and perks - suit your needs.' 

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She adds: 'Another benefit of getting free travel insurance with a current account is that a lot of people usually forgo it - up to 8.6million in 2019 - which is not an advisable move. 

'If you get seriously injured abroad then the bill can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds, so having travel insurance included with a current account may result in a lot of people getting covered who may not have done so otherwise.'

We pick our three favourite current account deals for travel insurance, taking into account the monthly cost and the additional perks on offer.

1.  Nationwide Flex Plus  

This account offers worldwide travel insurance as well as mobile phone and European breakdown cover.

It does come with a £13 monthly charge, which, compared to other packaged bank accounts looks relatively cheap.

Its worldwide family travel insurance, includes winter sports, golf, weddings and business cover.

Nationwide offers worldwide travel, mobile phone and European breakdown cover and charges £13 a month for maintaining the account.

Cover for travel essentials includes luggage, documents and cash as well as protecting against travel-specific problems like delays, cancellations and medical expenses.

Then cancellation cover is up to £5,000, the medical expenses cover up to £10 million, whilst cover for travel disruption will be eligible when caused by natural disasters, or airline or travel end supplier failure.

The policy doesn't cover medical conditions unless they have been declared to Nationwide and accepted. In some instances, you can pay for a medical upgrade to your insurance policy.

Two other clauses to be aware of is that the longest trip length allowed is 31 consecutive days. 

For any person to be insured who is aged 70 or over, they must buy an age upgrade to cover them.

Although the monthly cost will add up to £156 a year, it's possible to offset much of this during the the first year, thanks to Nationwide's current account switching incentive.

Non-Nationwide members can currently get £100 for switching, whilst members who switch to the Flex Plus account could get £125.  

Saves the extra admin: Nationwide's annual travel insurance policy is worldwide, and covers a whole family for multiple trips, not just the individual account holder.

On top of travel insurance, account holders get vehicle breakdown cover both in the UK and the rest of Europe and mobile phone insurance for the whole family.

The car insurance is valid whether someone is a driver or a passenger in a vehicle, and comes with no excess to pay and unlimited callouts.

The mobile insurance covers mobiles belonging to the account holder and those belonging to their partner and dependent children. It covers for loss, theft, damage and faults.

2.  Virgin Money's Club M Account

Virgin's Club M Account comes with a £14.50 monthly charge.

Similar to Nationwide, it offers 31 days' worldwide cover per trip. It will cover the account holder and a partner living with them if there're both under 75, so it's a little more generous on that front.

Virgin's worldwide family multi-trip travel insurance - includes winter sports, golf and weddings. Plus, 24 hour access to a doctor at home or abroad.

There's also cover for up to four dependents under 18 - either in full time education or living with the account holder.

Emergency medical treatment, includes falling ill with coronavirus while away, and cover for the journey home, if it's medically necessary.

It also covers lost, damaged or stolen items, and if the baggage is delayed, any essentials will be paid for in the interim period. It also includes cover for delays or missed departures and winter sports as standard.

Account holders are also covered when cancelling or cutting short a trip if they fall ill with coronavirus as long as they didn't know they had it and weren't being tested for it when they booked their trip. 

The cover includes emergency medical, surgical, hospital, treatment and ambulance costs, as well as any additional accommodation and travel expenses if someone cannot return to the United Kingdom.

There is a maximum allowance of 31 days of worldwide cover per trip.

It covers the account holder and their partner living with them if they're both under 75. There's also cover for up to four dependents under 18. 

A claim will be void if it relates to any medical treatment received because of a medical condition or an illness related to a medical condition which a person knew about at the time of opening the account. 

What else? 

On top of the travel insurance it also offers UK breakdown cover with no call out charges, whether as the driver or the passenger and offers help at the roadside and at home.

It also offers worldwide mobile phone and gadget insurance covering against loss theft, damage, and breakdown

Just make sure you've declared any pre-existing medical conditions and don't leave your valuables unattended to be fully covered.

Its Worldwide family multi-trip travel insurance - including winter sports, golf and weddings. Plus, 24 hour access to a doctor at home or abroad.

Virgin current account holders also benefit from various other perks.

It offers access to an easy-access linked savings account paying 1.71 per cent on balances up to £25,000. C ustomers can also benefit from 2.02 per cent on balances up to £1,000 in their bank account.

New customers switching to the Virgin Money Club M Account can also receive a bonus of 20,000 Virgin Points to spend with Virgin Red, thanks to Virgin Money's latest current account switching offer.

Virgin Red is a rewards club that turns everyday spending into points. Once you are a member, you can earn and spend Virgin Points across almost 200 different rewards.

The 20,000 Virgin Points boost means travellers could get a return flight to Barbados, the Bahamas or St Lucia, while bakery enthusiasts could turn their points into 100 sausage or vegan sausage rolls, 61 coffees or teas or 100 doughnuts or muffins.

3.  Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account  

Halifax Ultimate Reward current account costs £17 per month, the equivalent of £204 per year. However, there are ways to dramatically reduce this via its cashback and switching offers.

The account includes a family travel insurance policy for the account holder, their spouse or partner and children aged 18 or under, or up to 24 if they're in full time education. 

It includes cover for personal belongings, certain sports and activities such as winter sports golf trips.

At £17 a month Halifax is the most expensive of our three top picks. However, its £150 cash incentive and £5 monthly cashback could help account holders to significantly reduce the cost.

Its cover includes, up to £10million for hospital fees, repatriation, medical confinement, funeral and dental costs incurred if taken ill or injured on your trip. 

Up to £5,000 in total for loss of pre-paid travel and accommodation expenses in the case of cancellation or curtailment. 

It covers personal baggage up to £2,500 if it is lost, damaged or stolen. This includes up to £500 for valuables, and up to £500 for a single item or pair or set of items.

It also covers personal money up to £750 for loss, or theft. This includes up to £300 cover for cash. This is limited to £50 for under 16s.

Watch out: 

Existing medical conditions are not covered, unless these are agreed with the insurer first, and an additional premium may be payable.

The longest trip length is 31 consecutive days. For winter sports, a maximum of 31 days cover in a calendar year.

Halifax's travel insurance covers personal Baggage up to £2,500 if it is lost, damaged or stolen.

It's also worth noting that a £75 excess per adult per incident may apply and to be covered trips must start and end in the UK.

All cover ends when the account holder turns 71. As long as the account holder is less than 71, their spouse or partner will also be covered until they reach 71. 

Eligible children can also be covered so long as they are travelling with the spouse, partner or civil partner of the policyholder. 

What else: 

It also offers car breakdown cover with the AA. This covers any vehicle the account holder is travelling in, at the roadside or at home. But only in the UK. 

For mobile insurance, it covers breakdown, accidental damage, loss and theft up to £2,000. 

However, it only Covers one phone per account holder or two in the case of a joint account. An excess of £100 is payable on all successful claims.

The £17 fee makes it a little more expensive than a few others but there are ways to reduce the cost.

Halifax is currently offering a £150 switching incentive for those who switch from another current account.

On top of the £150 bribe there are other perks to take advantage of. There is a choice of £5 a month paid into the account, two film rentals or three magazine rentals, or a free cinema ticket each month.

In order to benefit from this account holders must choose to either Spend £500 on their debit card each month or Keep at least £5,000 in the account at all times.

They must also pay in £1,500 or more into your account each month and stay in credit - keeping your balance at £0 or above.

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Chase Bank will pay £1% cashback on spending for the first 12 months . Customers also get access to an easy-access linked savings account paying 3.8% on balances up to £250,000. The account is completely free to set up and is entirely app based. Also no charges when using the card abroad.

Nationwide's FlexDirect Account offers 5% in-credit interest to new joiners when they switch on balances up to £1,500. This rate only lasts for one year. The account is fee free.

Halifax Reward Account pays £150 when you switch. Also earn up to an extra £75 cashback when you spend £750 each month for 3 months. There is a £3 monthly account fee, but that’s stopped by paying in at least £1,500 each month.

First Direct will give newcomers £175 when they switch their account . It also offers a £250 interest-free overdraft. Customers must pay in at least £1,000 within three months of opening the account.

NatWest's Select Account account pays £200 when you switch. The account has no monthly charges, but to be elligible for the £200, you'll need to deposit £1,250 into the account and log into mobile banking app within 60 days.

Share or comment on this article: Best bank accounts with travel insurance included

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Common enquiries for existing Ultimate Reward Current Account customers

If you’re an Ultimate Reward Current Account customer, please read our FAQs  (PDF, 145KB) for more information about the travel insurance which comes with your account and COVID-19. You can also visit our payment disputes page , for help if your travel has been disrupted.

Need to use your benefits

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Travel Insurance expandable section

Aa breakdown family cover expandable section, aa breakdown family cover.

AA Breakdown Family Cover is provided by Automobile Association Developments Limited (trading as AA Breakdown Services).

Making a claim:

You or an eligible family member can make a claim with the AA by calling  03451 24 14 01

More about AA Breakdown Family Cover

AA Accident Assist

AA Accident Assist is available to account holders only. This service could help if you or a person insured on your vehicle are in a motor accident where all parties are insured. The service could recover and fix your vehicle, provide a replacement vehicle or courtesy car and manage insurance claims.

The service is only available in England, Wales and mainland Scotland and is not available for motorbikes or mopeds.

We have included the AA Accident Assist terms and conditions in the policy documents. You will only be asked to agree to the terms if you choose to use the service. The AA will check to see if you are eligible, talk through your situation, describe the help the service can offer, as well as any costs that may be involved, so that you can decide if you want to go ahead.

Mobile phone insurance expandable section

Mobile phone insurance.

Mobile Phone Insurance is arranged through Lifestyle Services Group Limited with a single insurance provider Assurant General Insurance Limited.

Registering your phone

You can register your mobile phone details with us if you’re registered for Internet Banking or by calling 03451 24 14 01 .

Raising a claim

You can raise a claim with us if you’re registered for Internet Banking or by calling 03451 24 14 01 .

If your phone is lost or stolen, you must notify the police and your airtime provider as soon as possible. Not taking these actions could result in your claim being declined.

You will be asked the following information so make sure you have it ready:

• Make and model of your phone. Tip: check your instruction manual or remove the back cover and battery to see a label with this information
• Your service/network provider. Tip: details of your service provider are often displayed on the screen of your phone or are on your contract or monthly statement
• Your International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Tip: this will be displayed on your mobile phone screen by dialling *#06# on the keypad.

Instructions for registering your phone or raising a claim online:

• Once signed into Internet Banking, click on your Ultimate Reward Current Account
• Click the ‘More actions’ button
• Then select the ‘View account benefits’ found under the ‘Account information and benefits menu’
• You can register your phone under the ‘Mobile phone insurance’ section
• If you are already registered your mobile phone insurance details, your policy information will be automatically loaded
• If you would like to make a claim, click on the ‘View and update details’ button and then ‘Make a claim’ and follow the onscreen instructions

Log into Internet Banking   Register for Internet Banking

Home emergency cover expandable section

Home emergency cover.

Home emergency cover is provided by AXA Assistance and is underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance SA (IPA).

You can raise a claim by calling 03451 24 14 01 .

You can also make a claim online using Internet Banking or the Mobile Banking app. To do this, click on ‘Account Benefits’ under the ‘Benefits and Extras’ section and then select 'Home Emergency’.

Not taking these actions could result in your claim being declined:

• You must contact us first before instructing any other tradesman
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Travel insurance

Administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd (trading as Allianz Assistance) and underwritten by AWP P&C SA.

Please be aware pre-existing medical conditions are not covered under this policy. If you are looking for the online self-assessment medical screening link, this is currently unavailable. To understand if you or anyone to be covered under the policy have any conditions that could impact your cover, please call us on  03451 24 14 01  (Lines open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 9am-5pm).

If your cover needs extending, an additional premium may apply.

Important information

Pre existing medical conditions aren’t covered under this policy, unless they are agreed with the insurer first. An additional premium may apply. If this affects you contact Allianz Assistance directly to find out more.

If you have a serious or life threatening pre existing medical condition, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has launched a new directory listing firms which could offer travel insurance for you. For more information access this directory here or phone MaPS on 0800 138 7777 (Mon – Fri 8am to 6pm). If this is relevant to you, please consider whether the travel insurance that comes with this account is the right one for you.

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Halifax: Ultimate Reward Current Account reviews

100% decrease in 5 star reviews, 100% decrease in 1 star reviews, latest highest rating:.

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About the Ultimate Reward Current Account

The Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account charges a monthly fee, offering a range of rewards including cinema tickets and digital magazines. Account holders can enjoy various additional benefits. These include travel insurance, breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance and home emergency cover. Choosing the right rewards account can be difficult. It’s important that you will benefit from the rewards on offer and are able to meet the criteria to receive them. It’s also important that the provider is reputable. Read our Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account reviews to learn more about the provider and product. Find out how long account holders have had their accounts, and how satisfied they are with the service they’ve received. Learn about the Halifax mobile banking app and the features it has to offer. Read about the rewards available with the account and how valuable customers find them to be. Learn how responsive the customer service team is to be confident that Halifax can swiftly resolve any issues. Make an informed decision when opening your new account by reading our reviews. If you have an Ultimate Reward Current Account with Halifax, share your honest experience with our Smart Money People community. Why did you choose this account and has it lived up to expectations? Do you find yourself redeeming rewards often? What’s your favourite thing about the account? Are there any aspects that you feel could be improved? Share any experience you’ve had with the customer service team. Would you recommend the account to your family and friends? Whether good or bad, write a Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account review today.

Review Halifax: Ultimate Reward Current Account now

Halifax ultimate reward current account reviews ( 94 ), very good service, the best banking product available..

Beware its a con

I have had this card for a number of years..

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Halifax unveils new reward current account.

Halifax will launch a revamped rewards account for new and existing customers from June, but some will need to pay a monthly fee if they don’t meet tougher criteria.

Currently customers with the fee-free Halifax Reward Current Account receive a £2 a month reward payment as long as they have two direct debits, remain in credit and deposit £750.

But from 1 June, Halifax will introduce a monthly fee for some as well as additional perks for Reward Current Account holders such as £5 a month, cinema tickets and magazine subscriptions. From April, it will also launch a fee-free standard current account.

Here’s what existing customers need to know:

For those paying in £1,500 a month, the account will be free. Amounts credited under this threshold attract a £3 a month fee.

Only those paying in £1,500 a month will be eligible for the extra perks, but there is a new condition:

You need to make a choice between either spending £500 on your card or holding a balance of £5,000 each month. Plus, you’ll also need to remain in credit.

This decision can be taken once per year so the one you pick remains the criteria you need to meet for the 12 months ahead.

However, Halifax confirms that if customers fail to spend £500 or hold a £5,000 balance each month, you’ll just miss out on perks for that month as it resets at the end of each calendar month.

The revamped Halifax Reward Current Account can also be opened in joint names – the thresholds aren’t doubled.

All customers will be moved to the fee-free Halifax Current Account which offers up to 15% off at certain retailers, unless they contact the bank to remain in the Reward Current Account.

There’s no option to stay in the current version of the Reward account. Customers have until 15 May to inform Halifax of their decision.

The rewards

Customers will be able to choose one from the following rewards, which will be valid for the year:  

• Stream two movies a month throughout the year, worth up to £120
• £5 monthly reward
• One free Vue cinema ticket a month plus half price popcorn
• A choice of three digital magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Red, Country Life, Elle, Elle Decoration, Esquire, Good House keeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Health Beautiful, Prima, Runners World, Women’s Health.

From 1 June, new customers to Halifax will have a choice of three current accounts:

• Fee-free Halifax Current Account
• Halifax Reward Current Account – £3/month fee (waived if customers pay in £1,500/month), plus reward extras
• Halifax Ultimate Reward Current Account – £17/month fee, includes reward extras and benefits such as travel insurance and mobile phone insurance.

Philip Robinson, director of current accounts, said: “Now Halifax current account customers can choose from some really rewarding extras, recognising their loyalty. Whether you’re a fan of films with friends and family, married to your magazines, or simply want some extra pennies in your pocket, the new Halifax Reward Extras has something for everyone.”

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In this guide

• Our verdict

Product overview

Overdraft information, frequently asked questions, your reviews, halifax reward current account review.

Halifax's Reward Current Account just... isn't that rewarding. Must try harder.

If you're looking for an everyday bank account that offers a little extra, the Halifax Reward account is worth considering. However, rewards are fairly limited and you'll need to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify. There's also no interest paid on in-credit balances.

In comparison, the Club Lloyds current account pays interest on balances up to £5,000 and also offers a host of similar rewards with similar eligibility requirements. Therefore, it's worth comparing your options carefully before deciding which account is best for you. Visit Halifax's website to apply or compare other Halifax accounts here .

• Choose rewards to suit you
• New customers switching get a 6-month 0% overdraft
• Earn cashback at certain retailers
• Single or joint account options
• Easy to open and manage account online
• Need to meet eligibility criteria to qualify for rewards
• £3 monthly fee if you don’t pay in £1,500 a month
• Overdraft charges are high once interest-free period ends
• No interest paid on in-credit balances

What is the Halifax Reward current account?

The Halifax Reward current account is a step up from the standard Halifax current account, but a level below the Halifax Ultimate Reward account which charges a £17 monthly fee.

With the Halifax Reward account, you’ll have access to a range of rewards and cashback offers and, providing you pay £1,500 or more into your account each month, you’ll avoid the £3 monthly fee. The account can be opened individually or jointly and comes with a contactless Visa debit card.

How does it work?

As well as offering everything you’d expect from a bank account, the Halifax Reward account also includes the following key features:

• Reward Extras. Choose between 2 x digital movie rentals with Rakuten TV, 3 x digital magazines, 1 x cinema ticket at any UK Vue cinema, or £5 in your account each month.
• Cashback Extras. Earn up to 15% cashback at selected retailers.
• Save the Change. Round up your card payments to the nearest pound to save as you spend.
• 0% overdraft for 6 months. New current account applicants can benefit from an interest-free overdraft for 6 months. After this, you’ll be charged a rate of 39.9% EAR.

Who is it for?

To be eligible for the Halifax Reward account, you must be at least 18 years old and a UK resident. You will also need to pay at least £1,500 into your account each month and stay in credit, otherwise you’ll pay a £3 monthly fee.

To qualify for Reward Extras, you must either spend £500 on your debit card each month, or keep £5,000 or above in your account each day of the month.

What are the benefits?

The main benefit of the Halifax Reward account is the rewards on offer. You’ll have the option to choose from a lifestyle benefit, such as cinema tickets, or straightforward cash if you prefer. You’ll also be able to earn cashback as you spend in certain retailers.

How to apply

The quickest and easiest way to apply for the Halifax Reward account is online. You’ll need to fill in an application form and provide details about your income and home address over the past 3 years.

If you’re an existing customer, you can open a new account or upgrade an existing account by signing into online banking.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use . When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

When do I earn rewards with the Halifax Reward current account?

With the Rewards Extra feature, you'll get your reward around the 12th of the following month. If you have selected a lifestyle offer, you'll receive the offer each month to your registered email address. If you've selected the £5 offer, it will be paid straight into your account.

Does Halifax have a banking app?

Yes, it does. The app lets you pay people and bills, freeze your card if you misplace it, pay in cheques, update your security details, and call Halifax from the app without the usual security checks.

Are funds in my Halifax Reward current account protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme?

Yes, eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of the Bank of Scotland are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the FSCS. However, this limit is applied to the total deposits you have with any of the following: Halifax, Intelligent Finance, Birmingham Midshires, Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland Private Banking, Bank of Wales and St James's Place Bank. Some savings accounts under the AA Savings and Saga brand names are also deposits with Bank of Scotland plc.

Rachel Wait

Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full profile

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It will be fine. You are highly unlikely to be asked for proof of insurance anyway.

Thank you Bellagio :-)

No problem. Hope that you have a wonderful trip and please do come back and tell us all about it on your return.

Or for travellers from Europe also.

I would say check with your Insurance provider that your husband is also covered, make sure that your Insurance is not affiliated with USA and carry in your hand luggage your policy, just in case you are stopped. We have never been stopped going through Customs but they do 'spot check' people, would be the one time we did not carry it that we would be stopped :) Have a great time

Thank you for all your help, Halifax bank has no connections to America so I know all is good there and have phoned and triple checked and my husband is covered on the insurance too but just isn't named on the documents as he's covered under 'family' on the document.

I shall definitely be back to tell you all about the fab time I'm sure we will have .... Booked some excursions today, getting very excited, not only for going somewhere new but first holiday in 5 years so definitely much deserved! x

We are staying at the playa pesquero for 2 nights, then spending 3 nights in Havana, staying at the Habana Libre Tryp, then fly back to pp for a further 9 nights.

Excellent. I hope that you have a wonderful time. Please come back and tell us all about it on your return.

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• P&O Cruises ( UK )

Travel Insurance with bank?

By boatboy2000 , February 15, 2022 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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boatboy2000

Hi does anybody have travel insurance with their account and what banks have cruise cover included with the account?

Thinking of switching banks TIA

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Nationwide Flexplus but it costs £13 per month.

Halifax Ultimate Reward £17 per month but pay in a certain figure per month - sorry can't recall how much - and they give you £5 back.  Offers Allianz insurance with cruising but not the bells and whistles. Does have benefit of offloading cover.

Plugtheleak

I'm with Natwest and travel insurance policy included with Platinum Account seems to be good

For Cruise cover you have to distinguish two separate sections:

1)  Are you covered for medical and evacuation whilst on the ship

2)  Are you covered for additional things like missed ports.

We have the Nationwide plus account which covers the first one (which is the essential part). The second one is an optional extra if you want it.

2 hours ago, AlanCruise said: For Cruise cover you have to distinguish two separate sections: 1)  Are you covered for medical and evacuation whilst on the ship 2)  Are you covered for additional things like missed ports.   We have the Nationwide plus account which covers the first one (which is the essential part). The second one is an optional extra if you want it.

Yes that's what I meant by bells and whistles.  Do beware some policies do not include item 1.

19 hours ago, Megabear2 said: Halifax Ultimate Reward £17 per month but pay in a certain figure per month - sorry can't recall how much - and they give you £5 back.  Offers Allianz insurance with cruising but not the bells and whistles. Does have benefit of offloading cover.

Trouble with Halifax Ultimate is you have to pay £1500 minimum into account each month and the biggie is have a balance of £5000 or more for every day of the month to get the £5 back.

32 minutes ago, majortom10 said: Trouble with Halifax Ultimate is you have to pay £1500 minimum into account each month and the biggie is have a balance of £5000 or more for every day of the month to get the £5 back.

You do pay in £1500 or more but there is no obligation to have £5000 in your account.   You need to spend £500 a month on your debit card which with fuel and food is sadly easily achievable! We use ours for household bills and it never has that amount in it, at most usually £2,000 at a time.

There is no requirement on the Nationwide Flexplus account to have regular amounts paid in, or to use it for D. D. payments etc.  We no longer use it as our principal current account so don't have a lot in there.  Also, if you have a joint account both account holders are covered.  

3 hours ago, Megabear2 said: You do pay in £1500 or more but there is no obligation to have £5000 in your account.   You need to spend £500 a month on your debit card which with fuel and food is sadly easily achievable! We use ours for household bills and it never has that amount in it, at most usually £2,000 at a time.

Correct we get the five pounds a month than they take seventeen off us to run it

Having tipped over the 75 age, there are not many Banks that will cover me. Co op does until you are 80, so I may change to them this year. Anyonne with them ?

34 minutes ago, bobstheboy said: Having tipped over the 75 age, there are not many Banks that will cover me. Co op does until you are 80, so I may change to them this year. Anyonne with them ?

Nationwide will including over 80, but at an additional premium. 

5 hours ago, Megabear2 said: You do pay in £1500 or more but there is no obligation to have £5000 in your account.   You need to spend £500 a month on your debit card which with fuel and food is sadly easily achievable! We use ours for household bills and it never has that amount in it, at most usually £2,000 at a time.

If you dont spend £500 every month on your debit card which is not easily achievable for everybody you have to have £5000 in your account for each day of the month to get £5 reward cashback.

1 hour ago, kruzseeka said: Nationwide will including over 80, but at an additional premium. 

Nationwide Flexplus covers you for travel insurance up to the age of 70 and over that you have to pay a premium of £65 every year and have a medical screening on a yearly basis.

CRUISENSNOOZE

Hi, We are with Barclays Travel Insurance. They have 2 levels £12.50  and £18. We have the Travel Plus Pack at £18pm which gives us worldwide cover, RAC recovery in UK and Europe and 6 Airport Lounge Passes a year. We used to have RAC cover which cost us about £120 p.a. and if you use Airport Lounges on special offer, it would still be about £20 ea...so £216 per year for the travel insurance is very cheap. They give full coverage for cruising and repatriation. I believe this Travel insurance is to the age of 80. (we are 66 and 69).

The downside...sort of. The insurance only covers for holidays/cruises up to 31 days. The upside..they will give you full cover for any additional days for a one off payment. For example: we are on a 65 day cruise around South America and back through Caribbean. We had to pay an additional £236 for the 2 of us. We are away in France and Germany for 75 days with our car and caravan and the cost for this including upgrading the RAC cover was £136.  For us this works out very cheaply considering what P&O travel insurance quoted us for the single trip around south America!!...I must look out the quote again.

Lloyd's cover you till the age of 80. That's with Allianz insurance cover for £21 per month.

1 hour ago, majortom10 said: If you dont spend £500 every month on your debit card which is not easily achievable for everybody you have to have £5000 in your account for each day of the month to get £5 reward cashback.

Yes I did say that.  As I say we use ours for household expenses so don't find £500 difficult but I acknowledge everyone is different.  However the travel insurance is excellent and with Allianz will cover my husband's myriad of serious health conditions on renewal for £293 a year compared to the £1,400 we had to pay Avanti in September for insurance that doesn't have the offloading cover.

On 2/16/2022 at 10:16 PM, Megabear2 said: Yes I did say that.  As I say we use ours for household expenses so don't find £500 difficult but I acknowledge everyone is different.  

Intetested as to why you use a debit card rather than a reward credit card (B.A, Virgin, IHG, Tesco - which includes several cruise lines in their reward scheme - etc.)?

Only use Amex credit card mainly for travel.  I fly a lot so have my monthoy debit card linked to Virgin to get extra shopping points which become free flights or upgrades.  I also use the debit card to get the benefits on Halifax account mentioned above. My husband's travel insurance costs mega amounts so with phone insurance and RAC spending £500 per month in groceries and fuel is worth the price of £17 per month reduced by a fiver.  

On 2/16/2022 at 3:33 PM, kruzseeka said: There is no requirement on the Nationwide Flexplus account to have regular amounts paid in, or to use it for D. D. payments etc.  We no longer use it as our principal current account so don't have a lot in there.  Also, if you have a joint account both account holders are covered.  

My partner has a Nationwide FlexPlus account, and the annual travel insurance covers me too.

4 hours ago, Wacktle said: My partner has a Nationwide FlexPlus account, and the annual travel insurance covers me too.

That's good - I thought it had to be a joint account for both to be included. 👍

For the nationwide account, you only need to make it a joint account for the car breakdown insurance part, so that you can both call them out whatever vehicle you are driving.

2 hours ago, kruzseeka said: That's good - I thought it had to be a joint account for both to be included. 👍

No it covers not just 2 but your dependent children as well.

28 minutes ago, majortom10 said: No it covers not just 2 but your dependent children as well.

Even better! 

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Making a claim on your travel insurance

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn't go as planned. This is very important if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no rep to help sort out your holiday problem.

Read this page to find out more about what you need to do if you have to make a claim on your travel insurance policy.

Remember to take your travel insurance policy number and emergency contact telephone number with you when you travel

if a problem happens while you're away, keep receipts for everything you need to buy to support your claim

if possible, get your insurer to agree to medical treatment before it's carried out

always tell your insurer about an existing health problem before you take out insurance, or you may not be covered

report lost or stolen belongings to the local police within 24 hours of them going missing. If this isn't possible tell the person in charge where they went missing.

Making a claim while you're travelling

Make sure you take your insurance policy number and the emergency contact details away with you. This is so you know exactly who to speak to first if you have a problem and it can be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you're travelling abroad, check you've got the right phone number.

Making a claim when you get home

If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy when you get home, check the following things before you send off your claim:

you're within the time limits for making a claim

you're covered for what you're claiming for

how much the excess is. The excess is the amount of money that your insurer will take off the claim. It may not be worth making a claim if the amount you're claiming for is less than this

the small print . Make sure there's nothing in the terms and conditions that prevents you from claiming

whether it's a new for old policy. If it isn't, the amount you get for items you're claiming for will be less than the cost of replacing them. This is because the insurer takes off money for wear and tear.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible and ask them to send you a claim form. They may be able to email this to you to speed things up. Complete the claim form carefully and keep a copy for yourself.

You'll need to include copies of all paperwork that will help your claim, including receipts or medical certificates. You should also keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused.

Your insurer may ask if you have other insurance that may cover the claim. You'll need to let them know if you have other insurance that may also offer cover, for example, home contents insurance.

Making a claim for lost, stolen or damaged items or luggage

You're expected to take reasonable care of your belongings while you're travelling. The insurer will want to see evidence that you did this.

If your belongings are lost or stolen, you should tell the local police within 24 hours of the items going missing. If this isn't possible, tell someone else such as your tour rep, hotel manager or transport provider and get a written report.

If you have to replace essential items, such as toiletries or emergency clothing, ask for receipts to send as evidence with your claim.

Making a claim for medical emergencies and personal injury

If you need medical treatment while you're away, try to contact your insurer straightaway and get them to agree to the treatment. You should do this before it's carried out, although this may not be possible in an emergency.

You may have to pay up-front for medical treatment and claim it back when you get home. Always make sure you get receipts for any treatment or medication you're given.

If you did not tell your travel insurer about an existing health problem before you took out the insurance, you may not be covered if you need treatment  for this while you're away.

You may not be able to claim for the cost of any medication that you usually need and may have to take while you're travelling.

If you're a UK resident and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get healthcare in EU countries until it expires.

If you don't have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. You can use a GHIC to get healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

If you’re visiting Norway you can use your UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare there. Some countries have agreements with the UK to give free emergency treatment.

Travel insurance should cover you for pregnancy if you are in normal health. However, some airlines won't let you fly if your baby is due within a few weeks.

Making a claim if you have to cancel or shorten your trip

If you need to make a claim because you've cancelled or shortened your trip, your insurer will only accept your claim if you have a good reason for doing this. Reasons may include:

unexpected death, illness or injury of you, your partner or people travelling with you

a fire, burglary or unexpected damage happens to your home

you're made redundant

you're pregnant and are advised not travel after you took out the insurance

you're called for jury service or as a witness in court.

If you have to come home early, your insurer will usually only refund any extra travelling costs and the cost of any unused time in your holiday accommodation.

If you need more help

Other useful information

Medical treatment in other countries www.nhs.uk .

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Page last reviewed on 20 February 2020

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best overall: nationwide travel insurance.

• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance

Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

How we rate travel insurance »

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for Reputation: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here. 

Best for Pre-Existing Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Affordability: Trawick International Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance  that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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• Main content

Money blog: The 24-minute rule - What time you should actually arrive at cinema to avoid adverts

We've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money content below and we'll be back on Monday with live updates.

Saturday 8 June 2024 07:37, UK

Weekend Money

• How long trailers last at each cinema chain - and what time you should get there
• Your comments : Concert prices, state of UK airports, self-service kiosks at Subway and HMRC glitch
• £2,000 tax hikes and interest rate cuts - the two things you need to know from Money this week

Best of the week

• Money Problem : 'I returned an item by post to Nike, they say they never got it and won't refund - what can I do?'
• Why you should consider swapping chicken breasts out of your shopping basket
• 100,000 reportedly due to remortgage onto higher rates before election - here's what you need to know
• How brands get you to buy more, more, more
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Narbeh Minassian , news reporter

The time on your ticket is 7pm, but you already know it's not going to start then.

So, what time do you get to the cinema?

If you're arriving at 7.10pm, you're almost certainly safe, but any later and you may cut it fine.

Here, we've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins.

According to the Cineworld website, ads and trailers "normally last between 30-45 minutes before the actual film begins".

The cinema also asks customers to collect tickets at least 20 minutes before the listed time "to make the most of their visit".

There appears to be a shorter wait at Odeon, which claims advert and trailer length is "typically 15-25 minutes" - but this varies with each performance and can be "considerably less".

"We always recommend to avoid disappointment you arrive with enough time to enter the screen at the scheduled performance start time," the website says.

There's a wider range at Everyman, which says it plays 25 minutes' worth of adverts and trailers.

But beware - "the length of ads and trailers varies for special events and it can be between 15 and 40 minutes, subject to type of event".

There isn't any specific information on the website and we got no response when we reached out to them, but Showcase did respond to a customer on social media on this very question.

In a May 2022 tweet, the cinema said: "The advertised time is when the adverts/ trailers start and are approximately 20-25 minutes long before each show."

Vue offers a more precise window: "Please be aware that most films have around 20 to 25 minutes of ads and trailers before the feature starts."

Its only recommendation is to be in your seat at the time stated so you "don't take any chances in missing the start of your film".

'In general, it's 24 minutes'

Karen Stacey, the chief executive of Digital Cinema Media, which supplies advertisement for the likes of Odeon, Vue and Cineworld, told Sky News the wait is typically 24 minutes - 12 minutes for ads, and 12 for trailers.

This remains true whatever the film and whatever the time of day, with about 95% of DCM's schedules "exactly the same".

"It's very formulaic, that's what consumers are used to," she said. "By making it consistent in length, people are always happy to come and join in."

She said 24 minutes gives schedulers enough time to prepare the film and allow a more staggered entry for the audience - while also bringing in revenue.

Any longer than half an hour, though, is "rare".

"Cinemas want to have as many films in as possible and they want to be mindful they don't finish too late in the evening," Ms Stacey said.

"My experience working with them is they are quite strict."

Are there rules over the length?

As the above suggests, there aren't any set rules or procedures governing cinema advertising length.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of cinema advertising company Pearl & Dean, said the length was determined by the cinema.

"Some cinemas take only one ad, like the BFI IMAX, and the maximum length is determined by the cinemas themselves," she told Sky News.

"Factors determining the length depend on demand from advertisers and the films that a cinema might want to showcase to the audience that's at the screening via trailers."

Cinema policy is the key decider and she said research has shown audiences find advertising in cinema "part of the entertainment".

Do viewers like the adverts and trailers?

Ms Jacob may have a point.

According to research published by DCM , advertising in cinemas is more effective than in any other media.

For a 60-second advert in the cinema, viewers will watch 48 seconds, which is a far higher proportion than TV or social media.

It is also highly trusted, with DCM citing a survey by IPA Touchpoints claiming nearly 100% of respondents say they trust what they see in the cinema - for comparison, 75% trust TV adverts.

Avid cinema-goer Bill Boswell, who pays £18 a month for an unlimited pass at Cineworld on the Isle of Wight, said he was happy to wait.

"I know that these adverts help pay for the cinema to run," he told Sky News. "The cinema is my place to escape, so it's good for my mental health and I would not want to lose it.

"If I watch at home, I can sometimes reach for my mobile phone, but a film on the big screen would get my 100% attention, so I just accept the pre-show adverts."

But what are the drawbacks?

The main thing Mr Boswell considers is his car, as his nearest Cineworld offers three hours of free parking.

"I would sometimes plan on 30 minutes of trailers and work back so I can fit the free parking in, as the cinema costs enough already," he said.

"If the film is more than two and a half hours, I park outside town and walk to the cinema."

Consumer expert Martin Lewis raised parking tickets as one of the issues in a 2019 tweet, in which he said he waited 33 minutes for a film to start.

Responding to one user, he said greater clarity would help customers to save on parking tickets and babysitting, while giving "legitimate expectation".

"And there's no rigorous research that prices [cinema tickets] would go up - they're often set by market demand," he added.

Are there alternatives?

If you want to avoid the pre-show altogether, your best bet might be independent or community cinemas.

Draycott Community Cinema, for example, is the only cinema in the Somerset village and is run by volunteers.

Committee member Chloe Haywood told Sky News they are always debating how long to make their pre-show.

They try to keep it to two short trailers, often without any adverts - though they are planning to find a sponsor later this year.

"We do find that it sets the audience up for the screening," she said, referring to their brief pre-show.

"We don't have trailers for long. They're to advertise the next two films, any local news that might be of interest, and then standard 'switch off your phones' type info."

We had a lot of feedback after our in-depth look at why concert ticket prices are so high these days...

Here's some of what you said...

Why do arenas and sports events have to charge so much for food and drinks? Over £8 a pint is absolutely scandalous and opportunistic greed. Britain is an absolute rip off. Lee J

In the same way that football has been gentrified, music is being steered towards the rich and middle class - real fans like me are no longer wanted by agents like Ticketmaster. Frontman

The ones responsible are the ones paying the prices like with coffee shops and other consumer products. Stop paying stupid prices, they won't charge them! Toby

Why are resale tickets allowed to be tripled or quadrupled? Recently offered a David Gilmour ticket for £600??? Springbok

1970... $7.50 to see Elvis at his prime in Vegas. The greatest entertainer ever. 2020... £300 to see Taylor Swift. The most overrated singer around today.  I know who got the best deal there! Steve Elliott

A quick calculation shows $7.50 in 1970 is the equivalent of $60.61 today.

Next, a brief mention of Subway's decision to change its ordering process in all stores to electronic kiosks by the end of the year...

Some readers complained in our comments box but when we asked our followers on LinkedIn whether they liked or loathed self-service via a screen, this was the result...

Another post that got you exercised contained quotes from the boss of Emirates comparing Heathrow to a Second World War airport ...

There wasn't much love for the UK's biggest airport from readers - or for any other airport across the country...

There need to be a lot of change at Heathrow! Specially with immigration checks. The long queues are killing me, someone can't wait 2hrs in a queue to get a clearance, it's absurd! Cheka

Heathrow is not the only one. Coming back to UK through Gatwick yesterday was a sobering experience. Tatty floor covering, scuffed and drab paint everywhere. Wall graphics lacking any imagination or vibrancy. Narrow walkways and corridors. Doesn't show the UK in a good light all. Frequent traveller

Heathrow a Second World War airport? Try coming off a plane with 300 others at Leeds Bradford and queueing outside in the cold and pouring rain trying to shuffle in through a small door that looks like it used to be an emergency exit. How difficult can it be to erect something? Paula Blue

I totally disagree Heathrow is as bad as the president says. Has he ever visited Manchester Airport? AJ

A major HMRC glitch on Monday meant 500,000 families did not get their child benefit on time. Multiple readers wrote in with their views...

So they will be paying compensation then? As they would fine us for late payments... Cybertuck

HMRC? Apologise? Due to an error by working tax credits, I've only just been paid six years' worth. And as to child maintenance payments… I can't even begin to discuss that without crying. LWE

Is there any government IT system in this country that works as it should? Tudor1

I don't have children, very sadly, but if I were told that the HMRC were "sorry" for this glitch I would probably feel very violent. We get a lot of apologies these days which mean absolutely nothing (regrettably). Gillydhill

Confirming the problem had been fixed late on Monday afternoon, HMRC said: "We are very sorry some customers didn't receive their scheduled child benefit payments as expected and we understand the concern and difficulty this may have caused. 

"We've fixed the problem and affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning."

The news agenda this week has been dominated by election campaigning - with the first leaders' debate taking place on Tuesday night.

It saw Rishi Sunak cheer his supporters with the repeated claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.

Sir Keir Starmer was, most observers thought, far too slow to respond - but the claim began to unravel the next day.

Data and economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Tory calculations suggested the £2,000 rise was actually spread out over four years - so £500 a year may have been a more suitable number for the PM to throw at his opponent.

Concluding his piece, Conway said you "probably shouldn't" believe the figures - but if you used the same methodology as the Tories, it would show they had put up taxes by £3,000 a year over the course of this parliament. Or £13,000, if you wanted to present the numbers in the same way as Mr Sunak did during the debate. 

Read Conway's full analysis here ...

Some distance from Westminster, the 20 countries that use the euro saw an interest rate cut this week - the European Central Bank moving before the US Fed and Bank of England.

A cut in the UK is currently priced in by markets for September - in the meantime, British holidaymakers could benefit from a weaker euro against the pound.

Business presenter Ian King says a potential weakening of the euro could have wider implications.

He explained: "It comes with risks, not least in terms of pushing up the cost of imports - particularly energy, which is priced in dollars, which could in turn push up inflation."

The price of exports into the US could go down - potentially undercutting American firms.

King went on: "A weaker euro would also carry risks in a US election year in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, his challenger, will be seeking to out-bid each other with protectionist policies."

Read his full analysis here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

Administrators to The Body Shop are aiming to clinch a sale of the stricken cosmetics retailer by the end of the month, even as its former owner veers away from making an offer for it.

Sky News' city editor Mark Kleinman has learnt that FRP Advisory, which was appointed to handle the chain's insolvency in January, has asked for indicative bids by next Tuesday.

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been cleared of all charges by a US jury in the high-profile fraud case related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dr Lynch, who was extradited to the US to face trial just over a year ago, was acquitted alongside a former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain who had faced the same charges.

They were accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the £8.3bn sale to HP - a deal that has been the subject of costly legal action since.

Labour is promising to get more young people on the housing ladder as it announces its "freedom to buy" scheme on Friday.

The party is pledging to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Meanwhile, the Tories are promising a tax cut for parents by raising the threshold for when families have to pay a levy on their child benefit.

The current system means if either parents or a parent's partner earns more than £60,000, they begin paying the high income child benefit tax charge, and lose the benefit altogether when a salary hits £80,000.

But if the Tories win the election on 4 July, they have promised to increase the threshold to £120,000 before any tax is paid, and to £160,000 before the benefit is withdrawn, as well as base it on a household income, rather than an individual.

Ever wanted to own your own Victorian island fort?

Well now you can - with two being listed with a guide price of £1m.

Spitbank Fort in Hampshire and No Man's Land Fort off the Isle of Wight have been listed for auction and can be bought separately - or as a pair if you can't pick between the two.  

During the Second World War, the forts were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards. 

No Man's Fort is substantially bigger and probably presents itself more as a business opportunity, but Spitbank offers nine large bedroom suites across three floors and could potentially work as a private home to the right buyer. 

No Man's Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort naturally boasts a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.

"Throughout my career as an auctioneer I've seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets," said Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions.

"Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man's and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1m. 

"Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000sq ft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures."

The auction takes place on 18 June. 

If you missed out on the general sales but want to bag yourself a last-minute ticket to Taylor Swift's show in Edinburgh tonight , it could set you back a whopping £4,000. 

Not to fear, however, as it is currently possible to land yourself a ticket for as little as £271 - if you settle for a somewhat restricted view. 

We've checked resale giant Viagogo for the latest prices, accurate as of 10.30am. 

As is often the case with popular tours listed on resale sites, many of the tickets are sold individually - so if you're happy to go alone tonight, you're more likely to get a ticket. 

For context, a ticket at general sale cost somewhere between £80-£160 depending on where you sit/stand. 

As it stands, the cheapest seat with an unrestricted view of the stage is currently up for sale at £323.

Just one ticket is up for £271, but has a "restricted view". 

Bringing a crowd

If you're looking to take someone with you, the cheapest pair of tickets without any restricted view will cost you a combined £1,706.

However, if you're happy with a restricted or limited view, you can pay the cheaper price of £538 for the pair (£269 each). 

You can buy up to four tickets in the same area for £303 each (£1,212 together) for a restricted view, or £555 each (£2,220 together) for an unobstructed view of the stage. 

Getting closer to the action 

Standing tickets are much sought after given their proximity to the stage. 

As alluded to at the top of this post, one frankly optimistic reseller has listed four general admission tickets for a staggering £4,256 each (in the "floor" section shown in the map below). 

However, you can get even closer - with one ticket remaining in the separate section to the left of the stage at £651 and another to the right at £559. 

A word of caution

Ticket resale sites, including Viagogo, have previously been accused of "ripping off" consumers amid concerns customers could be turned away at venues because of restrictions on some resold tickets.

The company was told in 2019 that it was required to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets on its site.

It has since pledged to be compliant with UK watchdogs and now offers a "100% order guarantee [which] covers both buyers and sellers".

If you're happy paying over the odds for last-minute tickets, make sure you're buying through a site with such a guarantee and always beware of scams!

House prices in the UK dropped by 0.1% between April and May, data from mortgage lender Halifax shows.

Analysts had expected a drop of around 0.2%, while last week, rival lender Nationwide said its measure of house prices rose in May after falling in the previous two months.

In the 12 months to May, prices rose by 1.5%, Halifax said - faster than the median forecast in a Reuters news agency poll for an annual increase of 1.2%.

"Market activity remained resilient throughout the spring months, supported by strong nominal wage growth and some evidence of an improvement in confidence about the economic outlook," Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, said.

The stable picture for property prices over the last three months was likely to give more confidence to buyers and sellers, she added. 

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